ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Jigyasa quiz competition launched by Shri Hardeep Singh Puri
Nearly 2 crore participants globally are likely to participate in the competition
Jigyasa, the quest for knowledge, a quiz competition to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was launched by the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri here today. Shri Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Limited was also present on the occasion.
Shri Puri said that in line with the spirit of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Jigyasa is a quiz competition which intends to create awareness about India’s rich cultural heritage, civilization, literature, architecture and inherited knowledge which has its roots in ancient India. This is one of its kind quiz competition, open to people globally, in which nearly 2 crore individuals are likely to participate. The competition is a great opportunity to hone the talent of participants. He further said that the competition is not only a reflection of being an Indian but will also boost self-reliance with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Taking the grand vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi forward, “Jigyasa” is a step towards creating awareness and taking forward the ‘Parampara of Gyan’ through technology, innovation, and inclusive learning. One of the key motivations of Jigyasa is derived from Prime Minister’s commitment to Antyodaya. Jigyasa is truly inclusive in nature. Schools from multiple locations including Rajkot, Bhopal, Shillong, and New Delhi participated in the launch. More than 1,000 participants joined virtually.
Jigyasa is hosted on state-of-the-art technology, supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning. Anyone from any part of the world can participate in Jigyasa: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Quiz. Special provisions are available for Divyangs. Those who are in the age group of 13-18 and not a part of the formal education system are also eligible to participate in Jigyasa. Which is in 17 languages. Jigyasa promises to kickstart a conversation on the idea and ideals of Bharatiyat across 742 districts of India, that is Bharat.
Winners of Jigyasa will be eligible for a scholarship of Rs. 10 lakh each. Jigyasa would be accessible for all on the website www.akamquiz.com. Jigyasa will also be available on a dedicated application, as Jigyasa Quiz on Google Play store; the ioS application can be downloaded from the website itself.
Special Service and Features
1808 grams Gold worth Rs. 79.44 Lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs
Based on intelligence, Chennai Air Customs officers intercepted one female passenger namely Smt. Sarimala Nagamuthu, who arrived from Kuala lumpur in Flight No AK 11 on 10.10.2022. On examination of her baggage, 24 Nos. of gold plates of 24K purity was found concealed in 3 nos of emergency lamps were recovered, resulting in recovery of 1808 grams of gold worth 79.44 Lakhs, which was seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
Further investigation is under progress, according to a press release issued by M.Mathew Jolly, Pr.Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
###
(
PIB Headquarters
Special Passport Mela at Vellore on January 6th
Regional Passport Office, Chennai will be holding ‘Special Passport Mela’ on Saturday the January 6th 2018 at Post Office Passport Seva Kendra , Vellore. The mela is being conducted to meet the public demand and to facilitate submission of applications for the frequent travelers due to extended time in getting appointments.
Post Office Passport Seva Kendra, at Vellore will function on Saturday the January 6th 2018 like any other normal working day and accept applications as per time slots allotted to the applicants. Approximately 120 applicants are expected to be benefitted from this Mela.
To participate in this Passport Mela, all applicants have to log on to the official website ‘www.passportindia.gov.in’, register on-line, generate ‘ARN’ , and pay online fees and then take appointment. Applicants participating in the mela should bring the print-out of ARN with appointment derails, to the POPSK along with the requisite documents in originals, plus one set of self attested photocopies. Applications under fresh and Re-issue categories only will be accepted.
The appointments will be released on January 3rd 2018  at 1430 hrs for the mela to take place on Saturday, 6th January 2018. On the day of mela applications will be accepted only as per the time slot allotted to them. Applications for PCCs, Walk-ins including on-Hold and Refused Tokens will not be entertained during the Mela.
Ministry of Culture
Sahitya Akademi organizes seminars, symposia and special programmes to protect tribal art and culture: Shri G. Kishan Reddy
To protect, promote and preserve ancient culture, folk art and folk music throughout the country, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres . For preservation of folk literature, Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture has been organizing seminars and symposia on tribal literature all over the country both on regional as well as national level, besides bringing out a number of significant publications. Further, the Akademi has also been holding a programme called “Loka: The Many Voices”, a programme consisting of lectures as well as demonstrations. This programme has been specially conceived to
protect and preserve the tribal art and culture in the country. Sangeet Natak Akademi organizes various festivals including ‘Deshaj’ focused on folk and tribal performing arts all over the country.
Funds allocated to the ZCCs for preservation of ancient culture, folk art, folk music and folk literature for 2020-21 is Rs 4210.00  and for 2021-22 is Rs 5310.00 
This information was given by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern region Shri G. Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Steel
Domestic Production of Steel
The following details of consumption and share of domestic production and import in the consumption of finished steel during the last three years and current year indicate that the share of domestic production in the consumption of finished steel has been increasing:
|
|
Year
|
|
Consumption 
|
|
% Share of Import in Consumption
|
|
% Share of Domestic Production in Consumption
|
|
Total
|
|
Share of
import
|
|
Share of domestic
production
|
|
2019-20
|
|
100.17
|
|
6.77
|
|
93.40
|
|
6.8 %
|
|
93.2 %
|
|
2020-21
|
|
94.89
|
|
4.75
|
|
90.14
|
|
5.0 %
|
|
95.0 %
|
|
2021-22
|
|
105.75
|
|
4.67
|
|
101.08
|
|
4.4 %
|
|
95.6 %
|
|
2022-23

|
|
27.69
|
|
1.17
|
|
26.52
|
|
4.2 %
|
|
95.8 %
|
|
Source: Joint Plant Committee , MT: Million Ton,Provisional
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
MoD extends by four months capital acquisition deliveries of domestic manufactures due to COVID-19 situation
The Ministry of Defence  has extended the delivery period for all existing capital acquisition contracts with the Indian vendors by four months due to supply chain disruptions arising out of COVID-19 pandemic.
An order to this effect has been issued today by the acquisition wing of the Ministry, duly approved by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. It states, “Force Majeure shall be applicable for a period of four months i.e. 25th March 2020 to 24th July 2020.”
The order adds, “Duration of this Force Majeure will be excluded while calculating the delay in delivery of contracted equipment/service and imposition of Liquidated Damages charges.”
This measure would bring a big relief to the domestic defence industry, whose production schedules have been adversely affected by COVID-19 situation.
The MoD order, however, adds that the Indian vendor is free to deliver the contracted items well within the extended delivery period.
Further, as per the order, no separate contract specific amendments are required to be made to give effect to this decision.
With respect to the foreign vendors they can approach the MoD which may consider cases on the basis of the situation prevailing in their respective countries.
ABB/SS/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy/ADA
(Visitor Counter : 1825
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
220.66 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
2,180 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 44,175
Active cases stand at 0.10%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.72%
6,379 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,43,77,257
3,325 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
92.69 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 1,45,309 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Defence
CINCAN congratulates the Coast Guard Component on the occasion of Indian Coast Guard’s 46th Raising Day
Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command  congratulated the Coast Guard Component on the occasion of Indian Coast Guard’s 46th Raising Day on February 01, 2022. From a modest beginning with just 07 surface platforms in 1978, Coast Guard has grown into a formidable force with many ships and large number of aircraft in its inventory.
Under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar command, Coast Guard has focused on operational excellence and quality. Its performance has been stellar in maintaining vigil alongwith the Navy, all along the 1962 Km of coastline in the 836 Islands. It has safeguarded national interests by providing security in the Six lakh Square Km of A&N Islands Exclusive Economic Zone  besides effective Search and Rescue in an area covering Nine lakh Square Km.
In the past one year the Coast Guard at ANC has saved 109 lives at sea. Additionally, the hawk eye vigil by maintaining 24 x 7 patrols, both at Sea and Air, has enabled A&N Command to apprehend more than 22 poachers and 04 foreign fishing boats operating illegally in the islands. Amongst the other notable achievements, Coast Guard successfully towed MV X-Press Yamuna amidst rough sea and bad weather conditions, thereby averting a likely grounding of the vessel which would have caused irreparable damage to the sensitive ecology of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On another occasion Tug Ganga-I which experienced flooding onboard was successfully provided assistance by coast guard Ship. The search and rescue operation led to rescue of 09 persons. The year bygone has witnessed numerous such valiant efforts which resulted in saving of men and material at sea by the Coast Guard under Andaman and Nicobar Command in service to the Nation.
Ministry of Power
NTPC commissions largest Floating Solar PV Project in the country
The National Thermal Power Corporation  Ltd, has commissioned the largest floating solar PV project of 25MW on the reservoir of its Simhadri thermal station in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This is also the first solar project to be set up under the Flexibilisation Scheme, notified by the Government of India in 2018.
The Solar PV project was inaugurated today by Shri Sanjay Madan, RED , NTPC .
The floating solar installation which has a unique anchoring design is spread over 75 acres in an RW reservoir. This floating solar project has the potential to generate electricity from more than 1 lakh solar PV modules. This would not only help to light around 7,000 households but also ensure at least 46,000 tons of CO2e are kept at arm’s length every year during the lifespan of this project. The project is also expected to save 1,364 million litres of water per annum. This would be adequate to meet the yearly water requirements of 6,700 households.
The 2000MW coal-based Simhadri Station is the first power project to implement an open sea intake from the Bay of Bengal which has been functional for more than 20 years.
NTPC is also planning to set up a hydrogen-based micro-grid system on a pilot basis at Simhadri.
With a total installed capacity of 66900 MW, NTPC Group has 71 Power stations including 29 Renewable projects. NTPC has set a target to install 60 gigawatts  of renewable energy  capacity by 2032. NTPC is also India's first energy company to declare its energy compact goals as part of the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy .
The group has over 17 GW of capacity under construction, including 5 GW of renewable energy projects. Uninterrupted supply of electricity through environment-friendly energy projects at affordable prices has been the hallmark of NTPC.
Ministry of Finance
Monthly Review of Accounts of Union Government of India upto the month of June 2019 for the Financial Year 2019-20.
The Monthly Account of the Union Government of India upto the month of June 2019 has been consolidated and reports published.
The highlights are given below:-
The Government of India has received Rs.2,89,650 crore  upto June 2019 comprising Rs. 2,51,411 crore Tax Revenue , Rs. 33,475 crore of Non Tax Revenue and Rs.4,764 crore of Non Debt Capital Receipts. Non Debt Capital Receipts consists of Recovery of Loans  and Disinvestment Proceeds .
Rs.1,48,631 crore has been transferred to State Governments as Devolution of Share of Taxes by Government of India upto this period which is Rs. 8,896 crore lower than the previous year.
Total Expenditure incurred by Government of India is Rs.7,21,705 crore , out of which Rs.6,58,705 crore is on Revenue Account and Rs.63,000 crore is on Capital Account. Out of the Total Revenue Expenditure, Rs.1,41,755 crore is on account of Interest Payments and Rs.1,51,824 crore is on account of Major Subsidies.
Department of Space
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh says, Department of Space earned a Foreign Exchange revenue of about 35 Million US Dollars and 10 Million Euros during last three years 2019-2021, through launching of satellites of various private and international agencies
India launched 45 international customer satellites on-board ISRO’s PSLV during the last three years: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that NewSpace India Limited , a CPSE under Department of Space has earned a Foreign Exchange revenue of about 35 Million US Dollars and 10 Million Euros during last three years 2019-2021, through launching of satellites of various private and international agencies.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Dr Jitendra Singh said, NSIL has already launched 45 international customer satellites on-board ISRO’s PSLV during the last three years and has secured 4 Dedicated Launch service contracts for foreign satellite customers.
The Minister said, with the emergence of Global Broadband communication needs, NSIL envisages launches of several of these foreign satellites on-board ISRO’s SSLV, PSLV and GSLV-MkIII. NSIL through participation in various international conferences and exhibitions is ensuring better foot print of ISRO’s expertise in building earth observation and communications satellites, providing launch and mission support services including establishment of ground segments for foreign customers to ensure enhanced Foreign Exchange revenue earnings for the country.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the Government has opened up the space sector for private players with the announcement of space sector reforms and formation of IN-SPACe, an independent body under Department of Space which will regulate and promote private sector activities. He said, there are 48 applications received to IN-SPACe for undertaking space activities and their applications are being processed for further action. Out of these, the applications with respect to authorizing the space activities to Non-Government Private Entities  are 16 and sharing of technology and facilities of DoS to NGPEs are 23 and Consultancy & Promotion are 9. All the proposals of NGPEs are at different stage of approvals.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 84.89 Cr
More than 71 Lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently at 97.78%
29,616 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload  is 0.90% of Total Cases
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 3% for last 92 days
With the administration of 71,04,051 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 84.89 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 82,99,312 sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,70,844
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
88,15,174
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,48,481
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,47,62,466
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
34,40,24,505
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
7,10,15,322
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
15,53,09,749
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
7,28,88,465
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
9,91,21,295
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
5,42,72,859
|
|
Total
|
|
84,89,29,160
The recovery of 28,046 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,28,76,319.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 97.78%. Recovery Rate is currently at its highest peak since March 2020.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for 90 consecutive days now.
29,616 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The Active Caseload is presently 3,01,442. Active cases presently constitute 0.90% of the country's total Positive Cases.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of
15,92,421 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 56.16 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 1.99% remains less than 3% for the last 92 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be 1.86%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below 3% for last 26 days and below 5% for 109 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Clarification
In the wake of resignation by the two Members of the National Statistical Commission, reports from a section of media have suggested that the Members had expressed certain concerns on the functioning of the Commission including release of the labour force survey results and the Back Series of GDP. These concerns were not expressed by the Members in any of the meetings of the Commission in the last few months. The Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation not only places a high regard for the Commission but also values its advice and on which appropriate action is taken.
There have also been certain concerns raised in the media regarding the labour force survey being conducted by the Ministry through the National Sample Survey Office . The Periodic Labour Force Survey  has been designed to yield annual estimates of the labour force on employment and unemployment along with quarterly estimates for the urban areas. NSSO is processing the quarterly data for the period July 2017 to December 2018 and the report will be released thereafter. Keeping in view India’s strong demographic dividend and around 93% of the informal workforce, it is important to improve measures of employment through administrative statistics and complemented by periodic surveys.In this direction, the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation has started bringing out estimates of new subscribers/members enrolling in large social security schemes like the Employees’Provident Fund , Employees’ State Insurance  Scheme and the National Pension Scheme . The new members enrolling in these schemes are a good measure about the numbers in the workforce moving towards formalisation.
In so far as the Back Series of the GDP is concerned, the National Statistical Commission had itself urged the Ministry to finalise and release it. The official estimates of the Back Series of GDP were accordingly computed using the methodology adopted in the 2011-12 Base Year series and this was approved by the experts in the Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics, which is the appropriate body. This was later discussed in the National Statistical Commission. Moreover, the methodology adopted by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation for the Back Series is available in the public domain.
The National Statistical Commission provides valuable guidance and strategic direction to the statistical activities in the central and state governments. This Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation is in regular dialogue with the other Ministries and State Governments to improve the availability and coverage of data which needs to be understood in the context in which it is captured.
Ministry of Defence
Modernisation of infrastructure for airfields of Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and other services
Ministry of Defence signed contract for Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure  of 37 airfields for Indian Air Force, Indian Navy  and Indian Coast Guard  with M/s Tata Power SED  at a cost of nearly Rs 1,200 crore here today. The proposal has been duly approved by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.
The MAFI Phase-II is a follow-on programme based on MAFI Phase-I that included upgradation of 30 airfields of IAF. The airfields modernised under MAFI Phase-I have been of immense benefit to both military and civil users.
The project is a turnkey project that includes installation and commissioning of modern airfield equipment like Cat-II Instrument Landing System  and Cat II Air Field Lightning System , etc. The modern equipment around the airfield will also be directly connected to Air Traffic Control , thereby providing excellent control of the airfield systems to the air traffic controllers. The upgradation of navigational aids and infrastructure under this project would enhance the operational capability by facilitating air operations of military and civil aircrafts even in poor visibility and adverse weather condition while enhancing aerospace safety.
The contract will provide impetus to the domestic industry in the prevailing situation. The project will give a boost to over 250 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises which will be directly benefited from being involved in execution of various activities of this project. This contract would aid in infusing the much needed capital in the market and boost employment generation in such fields as communications, avionics, information technology, apart from civil and electrical equipment and construction.
ABB/SS/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy/ADA
(Visitor Counter : 3885
Ministry of Law and Justice
‘Run for Unity’ on the eve of ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ Organized by Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice on 31st Oct. 2021.
India has entered into 75th year of Independence on 15th August this year and is celebrating year long 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' which will continue till 15th August next year and in the series of functions being organised by the Government of India on this occasion, 'Run for Unity' was organised by Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice to mark the 'National Unity Day' the birth anniversary of true son of Mother India and ultimate symbol of unity and integrity of the nation, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as 'Iron Man of India' on 31st of October, 2021 at 7 AM in the morning at Rajendra Prasad Road. 'Run for Unity' was inaugurated by Secretary of the Legislative Department Dr. Reeta Vasishtha, who also joined the run along with officers and staff of the department with great enthusiasm. Additional Secretary Shri Biswal was also present on this occasion. Dr. Rita Vashishtha also administered oath of unity and integrity to the officers and staff of the Legislative Department.